The
First Mithridatic War (89–85 BC) was a war challenging Rome's expanding Empire and rule over the Greek world. In this conflict, the
Kingdom of Pontus and many Greek cities rebelling against Rome were led by
Mithridates VI of Pontus against the
Roman Republic and the
Kingdom of Bithynia. The war lasted five years and ended in a Roman victory which forced Mithridates to abandon all his conquests and return to Pontus. The conflict with
Mithridates VI would continue in two further
Mithridatic Wars.